Eryngium plant named `Sapphire Blue`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of plant named `Sapphire Blue`, characterized by the combined features of large, intense lavender blue teasel-like flowers with a collar of spiny bracts, flowering commencing in June and continuing into August, and stems similar in color to the flower.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of hardyperennial herbaceous plant of the genus Eryngium, known by the cultivarname `Sapphire blue`. The genus is a member of the Umbelliferae family.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling discovered by the inventorWouter Ruigrok in Hillegom, The Netherlands and resulted from a crossmade by the inventor between an unnamed cultivar of Eryngium bourgatiias the seed parent and an unnamed cultivar of Eryngium alpinum as thepollen parent.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Sapphire Blue` wasaccomplished when cuttings were taken by the inventor in Hillegom, TheNetherlands. This and subsequent asexual reproduction have shown thatthe unique combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for`Sapphire Blue` are fixed and retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

`Sapphire Blue` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment suchas temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in thegenotype.

The following observations and measurement describe the plants grown inHillegom, The Netherlands under normal commercial practice. All colorvalues are based on The Royal Horticulture Society (R.H.S.) colourcharts.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of the new cultivar, which in combinationdistinguish the new cultivar from others:

1. It is a quality flowering perennial with a more intense and truerviolet blue, R.H.S. 94 C to R.H.S. 97 C, than any other Eryngium plantknown to the inventor. The blue color also extends down the stem, whichgives it a unique quality. The absence of viable seed means that theflowers last approximately two weeks longer and will remain intact evenafter being visited by bees. The leaves are 10 cm in length (compared to5 cm for the parent Eryngium bourgatii) and the flower heads with bractsare up to 7 cm in length (compared to 3-5 cm for the bracts of theparent Eryngium bourgatii).

2. The large and intense lavender blue flowers, coupled with the intenselavender blue stems, make an excellent display from June to August.

3. The erect branched stems arising from mainly basal spiny-toothedleaves support the many terminal teasel-like flower heads with theircollars of spine toothed bracts.

4. The plant thrives best in full sun and well drained soil although itis tolerant of poorer conditions.

5. The flowers are sterile and bear no viable seed, and bloom forapproximately 10-12 weeks, thus being ideal for flower arrangements. Theflower stems will remain on the plant intact until damaged by theweather or the onset of winter.

In the photographic drawings, FIG. 1 comprises a closeup view of atypical plant of `Sapphire Blue`, showing in detail the colored stemsand the large showy teasel-like flower heads with their collars of spinybracts.

The photograph comprising FIG. 2 illustrates plants of `Sapphire Blue`(in the foreground) in a border setting.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

Parentage: A cross between an unnamed cultivar of Eryngium bourgatii(seed parent) and an unnamed cultivar of Eryngium alpinum (pollenparent).

Habit: Erect branched stems.

Size: Mature plants are 70 cm in height with a spread of 45 cm.

Number of stems: 5-12 or more.

Root system: Fibrous.

Plant vigor: A perennial that shows vigorous and healthy growththroughout The Netherlands.

Blooming habit: The teasel-like flower heads are borne on erect leafyflower stems that rise from the base of the plant.

Blooming period: From June continuing into early August.

Blooming response: 18-20 weeks from a cutting (observed in a gardensituation and also in containers).

Hardiness: Winter hardy throughout The Netherlands. The plant has notbeen fully tested for maximum summer tolerance above 32° C. (90° F.).

Foliage:

Arrangement.--Orbicular, cordate to ovate, spiney-toothed.

Texture.--Leathery, sharp spines.

Length.--10 cm.

Width.--5 cm to 8 cm.

Petiole length.--0.5 cm.

Margins.--Spinose.

Apex.--Aristate.

Base.--Cuneate.

Color.--Mature leaves upper surface 131 B, under surface 131 C; leavesdisplay silver venation.

Flowers:

Borne.--On umbellate erect branched stems typically 9-12 cm in length;stem color is initially green, maturing to between 94 B and 97 B.

Lastingness of individual blooms.--Approximately 4-6 weeks.

Bracts.--Normally 10 in number, each 4-8 in length and approximately 1cm in width, with spine-like margins and sharp tips; mature bract coloron upper surface is between 94 B and 97 B and on lower surface is R.H.S.94 D.

Number of flowers per stem.--Approximately 3-5.

Flower shape.--Generally cylindrical, with rounded apex.

Flower size.--2.5 to 4 cm, in height and 1.5 to 2.0 cm in width at base.

Color.--From a distance, the teasel-like flower head is a mixture ofgreen and lavender blue, with the lavender blue section beingapproximately 94 C to 97 C in color.

Carpels.--2 celled, obscurely ridged.

Stamens.--None.

I claim:
 1. A new distinct cultivar of Eryngium plant named `SaphhireBlue`, substantially as shown and